Shetland Sheepdog


The Shetland Sheepdog: The Good Shepherd

Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, or “Sheltie” as it is commonly known, is basically a miniature Collie. These rough-coated, longhaired, working dogs are alert, loyal and highly trainable.

Agile and sturdy, the Sheltie is a devoted, docile, highly intelligent dog.
They excel in obedience trials, as well as in agility, herding and conformation events. Shelties can be black, blue merle or sable, marked with different amounts of white and/or tan.

The Sheltie can trace its history to the Border Collie, an ancestry it shares with the Collie. After being taken to the Shetland Islands, they were crossed with the small, intelligent, longhaired local dogs, to produce the breed we know today.

If you are thinking about getting a Shetland Sheepdog, you’ll get a devoted family pet who loves his family, but may be reserved around strangers. As a herding dog, Shelties are inclined to bark a lot, and make have a go at herding your other pets and family.

Shelties are ideally suited to country or suburban life but are adaptable to most living arrangements provided they are exercised daily. The breed’s dense double coat requires regular brushing and maintenance.

SHETLAND SHEEPDOG FACT FILE

Group: Herding
Country of origin: Scotland
Date of origin: 1800′s
Originally bred for: Herding sheep
Current function:  Herding / Companion
Size: Medium
Coat length: Medium
Shedding: Yes
Grooming requirements: Daily
Town or Country: Either
Ideal home: Small or large house
Minimum garden size: Small or medium
Exercise requirements: Up to 1 hour per day
Lifespan: Over 10 years

If you enjoyed this page on the Shetland Sheepdog, check out some of the other dog breed links below.

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